The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-09-21


established himself at an old posting inn,
now patronized by strangers in search of
quiet rusticity, near the boundary between
Tuscany and Lombardy. After his din
ner of risotto-stewed kid and pumpkin
flowers fried in bltter-Mr Calcott began
to take his bearings. 1t was, indeed a
pretty, picturesque nook, tucked comfort
ably in side pocket of the mountain,
eyes, had worn him gaunt and grim, as
he believed and privately hoped, and
made a sojourn in Natures solitudes best
for him.
Sitting on bench at the end of the
path he had chosen, Mr.. Calcott saw a
lady in a black dress absobed in a piece
of needlework. Jeremy lifted his hat
as he passed, aud was continuing his
way, when to his surprise the lady called
him back and motioned him to place
beride her.
with the pine-tops embroidering the in
tense blue of the sky above, and chestnut
groves gathering round the peasants
houses of gray stone with red-tiled roofs.
Very primitive, silent and lonely, but
quite suited to Mr.. Calcott's frame of
mind. The gnawing heart-hunger,
awakened by a certain pair of bonny black
"You are the man who bandaged my
sister Dora's finger in the train that day I;
very trifing pinch you and she both
knew, not at all worth the waste of
handkerchief. Dora kept the piece with
the initials on livery silly of her, she
began.
Jeremy could scarcely believe his eyes
and ears. Here, dropped down in this
most hidden of hamlets, was the dull
young person who had so fidgeted and
yawned during that, to him, most bliss
full journey from Siena. Was her sister
with her! Calcott's knees trembled with
Joy at the delightful possibility, and then
q chill froze his blood at the fear that the
sisters might have parted company.
"My sister will be glad to see you; she
| has wearied me to death talking about
you"
Though not wholly complimentary,
| this was music to Calcott's ears, for it
hinted at Dora's having forgiven him for
his sharp judgment appropos of quadru-
ped pets. He had already possessed him
| self of her name as precious treasure.
'Is-is your sister here?" hazarded
Jeremy.
eyes; she is sitting with Conrad, to
keep the flies off him while he sleeps"
Hereupon, to Jeremy's great discomfit-
ure, the young lady burst into tears.
With praiseworthy desire to divert her
thoughts, he began, with a painful dis
her about the work now lying unheeded
on her lap She frightened up immedi.
ately, and displayed her handiwork tc
Calcott, the nature of which caused hin
considerable astonishment. A square Of
black silk with skull and cross-bones
skilfully embroidered in white, enliven
ing one corner, aud small coffin, with
He jacet on the lid, in process of com
pletion on two of the others.
"Pm making this for lady who ha.
lost her husband; it is to wear round the
neck; she always liked a pretty littl,
shawl. Don't you think it will pleas'
her"
Eyes" answered Ca1cott; there j
something so original and-and so cheer
ing about it, you know"
"Yes. Everything Oh, there come
Dora; you can talk to her instead. In
going to Conrad" whereupon the &c
centric young lady hustled her work ou
VI slBnJ III u DdohNbs ohd ONdb
and unceremonious retreat.
With the grace and loveliness of al
ideal queen, Dorm advanced over tn
carpet of chestnut leaves lying COLDER
on the path. Instead of the poke bonnet
parasol lined with pale rose protected
her dainty head, with its dmsky crown o
hair soft and glossy as silk, from tn
glinting sunshine.
With a flush of pleasure, as the vail
young man chose to construe it-thougl
it might have been only the reflex from
the slken canopy over her head-sh
recognized Mr.. Calcott.
'I'm very glad chance has thrown IL
together again" she said, sweetly, ex
tending her hand. 'Pm going for
short walk through the fields. Will yol
come with mel
Had she asked him to join her in
ramble over redhot plowshares he woul'
have counted himself among the luckies
of mortals. After the first lull in thei
chat upon ordinary subjects, Dora's man
ner changed, and she said, seriously:
MY sister has been showing you som
of her dismal embroidery. She was no
quite quick enough TO escape my eye"
Eyes; thought it rather odd, but
"Of course her manner has given yo
an inkling of the truth. | rarely talk O
my afflicted sister to strangers, but as W
are likely to be together here for som
weeks, and as you are my compatriot
and most kind hearted, would like yo
to know the whole truth. Let us 81
down on this fallen tree, and / will tel
you a story AS briefly as can"
Much interested, Calcott Obeyed, an,
she began;
give years ago. Hilda-my father wa
twice married. and she is my half-siste
was engaged to be married to one Q
the best, truest men on all the wide earth
/ was at that time a feather-bra gin
of sixteen. We were spending the sun
mer in the Tyrol; one afternoon, Conra
(Hilda's lover) and l were walking alon
along steep mountain path above Tot
lach. | coveted fascinating clump c
fringed gentian growing a few feet lowe
than the path; far below where it lodge
lay the rocky bed of the stream. l toll
Conrad | intended to climb down an
get the flowers He laughed, and said
must be mad to think of risking my lii
for such a triie, nor was he gallar
; enough to peril his own neck. Late
! when he was absorbed in a sketch, / ra
| back and scrambled down for the plaI
it would be such triumph to surpris
him with it.
? II slipped, and fell a short distanc,
e At my screams Conrad flew to help IN,
4 \ n Il